Prisoner of Time [Mass Market Paperback]

Caroline B. Cooney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 10, 1999

Tod Lockwood has never wanted to be anyone's knight in shining armor.  In fact, he wants to avoid having anything to do with girls, at least for the present.  But that's before Devonny Stratton steps into his life out of the nineteenth century.

As for sixteen-year-old Devonny, she has no plans for marriage until her father arranges to wed to the contemptuous but well-connected Lord Winden.  Devonny has only one hope. Someone must rescue her. Can Tod Lockwood be Time's answer to her prayers? Life never seems simple to Devonny, but do the solutions to her problems await her in the future?  Or will she only become a prisoner of a different time?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9AThird in a time-travel series, this story continues the saga of the wealthy Stratton family in the 1890s. Tod Lockwood travels from the 1990s to save 16-year-old Devonny Stratton from an unwanted arranged marriage. He manages to rescue her on her wedding day by bringing her into the 20th century. After spending time with Tod's family, the girl feels called to return to her own time to untangle the problems she has left behind. Subplots involve Devonny's best friend Flossie's plan to elope with an Italian immigrant from the laboring class, and her father's scheme to lock his ex-wife, Devonny's mother, away in an attic room. Meanwhile, Tod and Devonny are falling in love. This tale, like its companions, is pure melodrama. Its characters are more types than fully fleshed-out individuals. Plot contrivances are numerous. Why, for instance, does Tod's mother so readily accept Devonny as a foreign exchange student from England? And would Devonny's disappearance cause a complete change of heart in her obnoxious intended husband? The book presents a very oversimplified view of the mores and morals of the wealthy class of the day. It is fun, however, to observe the reactions of the time-traveling teens to ages very different from their own. The story is not as well written as Cooney's Driver's Ed (Delacorte, 1994) or The Face on the Milk Carton (Dell, 1991) and its sequels, but adolescents are sure to enjoy the drama and romance. Prisoner belongs in collections where Both Sides of Time (1995) and Out of Time (1996, both Delacorte) are popular.ABruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Reviewers praise Caroline B. Cooney:

Both Sides of Time:

"Romantics will be caught up by the story and will catch their breath at the cliff-hanger of an ending."
--Booklist

"Cooney has written not only a love story, a time-travel fantasy, and a murder mystery, but also a provocative and powerful examination of women, marriage and relationships in two centuries."
--School Library Journal

The Face on the Milk Carton:

"It's a gripper. You can't put it down until you've gone through the whole trauma with Janie Johnson, from that first moment of horrified recognition to the thoroughly satisfying conclusion."
--Entertainment Weekly

Whatever Happened to Janie?:

*"Readers left on the edge of their seats at the conclusion of The Face on the Milk Carton will race to get their hands on this equally gripping sequel....The power of love is wrenchingly illustrated throughout this provocative novel, which expresses multiple points of view with remarkable understanding."
--Publishers Weekly, Starred

The Voice on the Radio:

*"Cooney's outstanding command of emotional tension has taken this novel to extraordinary heights."
--School Library Journal, Starred

*"Readers of Cooney's addictive The Face on the Milk Carton and Whatever Happened to Janie? can start licking their chops.... Cooney seems to have a special radar for adolescent longings and insecurities, not to mention campus chic."
--Publishers Weekly, Starred

Twenty Pageants Later:

"Brisk writing, plenty of backstage nitty-gritty and the nearly irresistible glamour of the pageants themselves will keep readers turning the pages."
--Publishers Weekly

Drivers Ed:

"Wonderfully written, and very realistic. Reluctant readers as usual will find this author tops."
--Voice of Youth Advocates

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Laurel Leaf (August 10, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044022019X
• ISBN-13: 978-0440220190
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.6 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #209,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This "Time" was the best so far., July 12, 2002

By 

MAB (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prisoner of Time (Mass Market Paperback)

"A Prisoner of Time" was much-much better than "For All Time" and surpassed "Both Sides Of Time," as well. This book had none stop action and was interesting. Todd could have been better developed, but that is my only complaint. I think Hiram Stratton, Sr., was shown to be a heartless human being better in this book than in the other two "Time" novels combined. I hope in the last book in this quad series, it will show why both Annie AND Todd were able to time travel - is it hereditary or just pure luck? I guess only *time* will tell...... I recommend.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's A Time Trap!, January 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Prisoner of Time (Mass Market Paperback)

Prisoner Of Time is the third book in a trilogy that includes Both Sides of Time and Out of Time. However, in this book, it follows the lives of Tod Lockwood and Devonny Stratton, instead of the characters in the first book, Annie Lockwood and Strat. When Tod is up at Stratton Point refueling on its natural spring water, he is unwillingly taken by time. Once Tod realizes what has happened, he is in the year 1899. Time has dragged him here to rescue the wealthy Stratton girl. I really liked this book a lot but I was slightly disappointed in the fact that it wasn't about Annie and Strat, because I'm anxious to see what happened to them. I also hope that Caroline B. Cooney comes out with an addition to this trilogy soon! This book is great if you like Science Fiction/ Time Traveling stories with a great plotline!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great addition to the "time" series, September 24, 2000

By 

Melanie (Iowa, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prisoner of Time (Mass Market Paperback)

A Prisoner of Time was another great book in the "time" series by Cooney, and in my opinion, the best!

Devonny Stratton is disgusted when she finds that her wealthy, 1890's father is forcing her to marry the English Lord Windon. She's only sixteen, and she has already made plans for her life! And modern Todd Lockwood has never wanted to get involved with a girl, much less one from the last century. However, when Devonny needs help, it seems as if Todd is the answer to her prayers...

I loved this book, and I think it's a great addition to the series! However, I think that another book or two is needed, about Annie and Strat... and maybe Flossie and Gianni? :)

This was a great book on time travel, romance, and adventure, and I'd recommend it for ages 12 and up. Be sure to read the others in the series, too - Both Sides of Time and Out of Time.